French Literature Reviews - 2026

Tolerance: The Battle of the Enlightenment
History, Politics and Society

Bibliographic reference: Tolérance : le combat des Lumières, SFEDS, 2015.

— French Society for 18th-Century Studies, Press Release —

This book was published by the French Society for 18th-Century Studies (Société Française d'Études du XVIIIe siècle), an association of scholars and enthusiasts of the Age of Enlightenment dedicated to promoting the humanist and universal values bequeathed to us by that century.

Stunned by the events of January and deeply concerned by the rise of intolerance and discrimination in all its forms, the members of this association felt compelled to act. By producing a book and highlighting powerful texts—two centuries old yet strikingly relevant today—they sought to offer something meaningful to their fellow citizens.

Within a month, numerous contributions poured in, with members submitting texts they found particularly impactful and compelling. The newly elected president of the association, Catriona Seth, along with our treasurer Hélène Cussac and deputy treasurer Sophie Lefay, were especially dedicated to this project. It was generously coordinated by the editorial packaging firm Prose (Nicole Masson).

As a result, we have gathered about fifty literary excerpts and 34 magnificent quotations, featuring nearly forty authors in total.

This is a general-interest anthology intended for a broad audience. To ensure the book reaches as many people as possible, including those who rarely visit bookstores, we chose to distribute it through newsagents, kiosks, and supermarket magazine aisles.

It can be ordered from any newsagent using the product code "Difpresse M01729".

Only 4.90 € starting April 3, 2015. On sale for three months.
96 pages, full-color cover.
The book was enthusiastically designed by Mélody Bellier, a talented graphic designer near Poitiers. Printed by Bialec in Nancy.

Published by the French Society for 18th-Century Studies, this volume emerged as a direct response to contemporary concerns regarding the rise of discrimination and intolerance. Conceived following the events of January, the project reflects a collective effort among scholars and enthusiasts to underscore the enduring significance of humanist and universal values inherited from the eighteenth century. Members of the association rapidly mobilized to contribute impactful writings, resulting in a collaborative collection designed to engage the public with texts that address these foundational ideas through historical perspectives.

The resulting anthology assembles approximately fifty literary excerpts and thirty-four quotations representing nearly forty different authors, curated specifically for a broad readership. Distributed widely through non-traditional outlets such as newsagents, kiosks, and supermarket magazine aisles, the publication aims to reach citizens who may not typically frequent bookstores. Readers interested in eighteenth-century literature and the history of ideas may find this accessible compilation a relevant exploration of how Enlightenment-era discourse continues to resonate in modern discussions surrounding tolerance.